Tesla has overtaken Audi in global vehicle sales, delivering 1.79 million cars in 2024, compared to Audi’s 1.67 million. This marks a significant shift as Tesla now outsells one of Germany’s iconic luxury brands, according to company sales data compiled by Bloomberg.
Audi’s sales dropped by 12% last year, failing to grow in key markets like Europe and China. The company faced weak demand for its electric vehicles, including the Q8 e-tron, leading to an 8% decline in EV deliveries to about 164,000 units. Audi plans to shut down its Brussels factory, where the Q8 e-tron is produced, due to low demand.
Check out Bloomberg’s charge below–look at Audi’s lead in 2017 and watch Tesla grow:
Meanwhile, Tesla maintained its position as the world’s top seller of fully electric vehicles. 2024 marked Tesla’s first annual decline in deliveries in over a decade (but Q4 was a record), narrowly holding onto its lead over Chinese competitor BYD (albeit BYD has hybrids that get lumped into ‘New Energy Vehicles’).
Audi’s parent company Volkswagen, along with other German stalwarts, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW, are grappling with slowing demand for EVs as countries reduce subsidies and competition intensifies in China. Manufacturers like Volkswagen have begun cutting production to adjust to weaker sales.
Canada has also ended its federal rebate as money has run out.
For Tesla to outsell legacy automaker Audi when it comes to annual vehicle sales, that’s a huge milesone for the EV market.
